DUBAI // Two Indian expatriates who have joined a mass hunger strike in New Delhi risked arrest earlier today along with scores of other Indians to express their solidarity with a well-known social activist.
They are part of a group of several non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the UAE, who travelled on Sunday from the Emirates to press for a stronger Jan Lokpal or anti-corruption bill along with veteran activist Anna Hazare. Their action comes a day after India celebrated its 65th year of independence.
"We have courted arrest voluntarily," said KK Sarachandra Bose, a Dubai-based lawyer who was detained at the Chhatrasal stadium with thousands of protesters.
Protesters from the Gulf were carrying banners that read, "NRIs support India against corruption and Jan Lokpal Bill."
"Police has surrounded the stadium, where we are protesting along with more than 5,000 people. This (the stadium) is being considered a police station now," Mr Bose said from the country's capital.
He said that he and a businessman from Dubai, whose name he did not wish to disclose, had also begun a hunger strike along with the others at the stadium.
"We have started fasting," said Mr Bose, over the din of people shouting protest slogans.
The country was galvanised into action after Mr Hazare — hailed as a modern-day Gandhi — threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike until the proposed bill includes scrutiny of the prime minister and the judiciary. The 73-year-old, veteran activist was sent to judicial custody at Tihar jail — one of the largest prisons in Delhi for hardened criminals — for a week this morning, after he refused to sign bail papers. Protests have broken out in several states demanding his release.
Indian protesters from the UAE had hoped that the widespread dissent would force the authorities to "wake up".
"The government must understand the pulse of the people," said Tony D'silva, a yoga teacher from Dubai. "It is quite encouraging to see young students from all over joining in. The gatherings everywhere is so huge."
pkannan@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others
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Company: Eco Way
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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Source: Hireinfluence, various
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Starring: Nour Al Ghandour, Mahmoud Boushahri
Rating: 3/5
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